i build rods and i have yet to use a fly rod over a #5 weight. and most of my pike are over 32".
I wouldnt go to troutfitters for several different reasons the first being the store is closed for business now. Now thats not to say a 10 weight may sound better? but i would reccomend an IM6 graphite rod between 8 and 9feet thats around atleast a #6 wt. that way the rod can be used for more then one occasion, salmon, steelhead or for even large bass ect ect. and there is a big differance in your arm at the end of a long day of castingbetween a 6wt and a 10 wt.
as for reels, sawyer i beleve once said a reel is just a means to hold a line... i wouldnt worrie too much about a reel, a pfluger 1949 reel is for a 6 wt and costs about 30 bucks off ebay used. it will last and do the job. But fly line is more important for smoother casting, cortland and airflow make nice lines for that also you may want to consider sinking line or floting. and are at a reasonable price too ( i use silk lines so i treat my lines to float, and if i dont then thet began to sink)
and for a good streamer pattern to use for beginers would be a bunny strip. big and i had sucess with white and pink. ( in darker peat stained waters mostly, remembering fish see in the u.v light spectrum not just white light.) the pike love those! or a top water frog deer hair.
